How to Repair a Concrete Sidewalk | Ask This Old House

In this video, the freeze-thaw cycle is wreaking havoc on a homeowner’s walkway, but This Old House mason Mark McCullough answers the call.
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In the Northeast, the freeze-thaw cycle can be tough on hardscaping. As the ground freezes each winter, it pushes rocks and other obstructions upward, causing cracks and heaving in patios, walkways, and other masonry surfaces. When a homeowner experienced some walkway damage, she called the Ask This Old House team, and mason Mark McCullough knows the perfect solution.
Where to find it?
To demo the damaged walkway section, begin with making cuts on either side of the crack using a circular saw [homedepot.sjv.io/4P73E1] with a masonry grade blade [homedepot.sjv.io/xkKB5k]. Use a HEPA vac [homedepot.sjv.io/PyQoVq] to cut down on dust. Once the straight breaks are established use sledgehammers [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQG2KW] to break up loose pieces. Use shovels [homedepot.sjv.io/Jz0kDr] and a pickaxe [homedepot.sjv.io/xk3JYd] to remove rocks.
To reestablish the base add a layer of gravel [homedepot.sjv.io/NkxgzV] and hand tamp [homedepot.sjv.io/R5YjLy] firmly into the ground until level. This will help with drainage and will absorb the pressure of a rock being pushed to the surface by frost.
To create the forms, use precut 2x4s [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQG2BW]. Jam one end of the 2x4 into the edge of the existing concrete using a hammer [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQmzbR]. By aligning the 2x4s with the existing concrete it creates a leveled pitch for the form.
Drive in a stake [homedepot.sjv....] on the outer side of each 2x4 for extra support. Lay down wire mesh [homedepot.sjv.io/eK0DeZ] on top of the gravel to help resist cracking.
Use a concrete premix [homedepot.sjv.io/g1n9qv] and add water. Mix in a wheelbarrow [homedepot.sjv.io/OrDXyK] with shovels until desired consistency is achieved. Once the concrete mix is poured use a 2x4 to screed the concrete to a smooth and level finish.
To remove air bubbles, use a magnesium float [homedepot.sjv.io/Nkxg2P]. Sponge off excess moisture using a masonry sponge [homedepot.sjv.io/9gQ655].
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Materials:
Crushed stone [homedepot.sjv.io/NkxgzV]
2x4 for forms and screeding [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQG2BW]
Rebar [homedepot.sjv....]
Number 9 masonry wire mesh [homedepot.sjv.io/eK0DeZ]
Concrete mix [homedepot.sjv.io/g1n9qv]
Tools:
Chalk line [homedepot.sjv....]
Heavy-duty circular saw [homedepot.sjv.io/4P73E1]
Masonry blade [homedepot.sjv.io/xkKB5k]
Wet/dry vacuum [homedepot.sjv.io/PyQoVq]
Sledgehammer [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQG2KW]
Shovel [homedepot.sjv.io/Jz0kDr]
Pickaxe [homedepot.sjv.io/xk3JYd]
Hand tamp [homedepot.sjv.io/R5YjLy]
Hammer [homedepot.sjv.io/ZQmzbR]
Wheelbarrow [homedepot.sjv.io/OrDXyK]
Bucket [homedepot.sjv....]
Dust mask [homedepot.sjv....]
Eye protection [homedepot.sjv....]
Ear protection [homedepot.sjv....]
Masonry float [homedepot.sjv.io/Nkxg2P]
Edging tool [homedepot.sjv....]
Joint tool [homedepot.sjv....]
Masonry sponge [homedepot.sjv.io/9gQ655]
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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Repair a Concrete Sidewalk | Ask This Old House
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[@FrostyKix]

She did a great job. Not many videos where the homeowner looks like they're actually pulling their own weight!

[@davidparker9676]

That is because most of them are affluent elitists looking for free repairs.

[@StuffTested]

Because she's a business owner. It's what drives the prices of houses actually, so prospective home buyers have to pay more since there is less supply.

[@Santirata]

​@@StuffTestedBelieve she said she lives in the home and rents out the other unit. Don't see the issue with that if it helps her springboard to a single family home she can't afford right now.

[@cpg8000]

@FrostyKik Not everyone is physically capable of this kind of labor

[@StuffTested]

@@cpg8000 The whole point of these videos are to inform. Each person can make a judgement call if this fits their wheelhouse or not.

[@Mike_Greentea]

Very educational I learned a lot!

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Here's another chapter ....20 min after taping, it all comes crashing to the ground

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Very gonadular in nature

[@cf5914]

Elsbeth has never been so tired in her life.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Director: Just say OK. Homeowner : OK.

[@snick._.c]

She said yep one time she's a good actress

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Ok

[@edbuurman3262]

I like it, but why not put back a control joint? And for the DIYers, where to get rid of the concrete waste? I have to admit, I find it hard to believe that in a year you cannot distinguish the new from the old portion.

[@OrangeCountySkid]

You're worried about where to get rid of the waste?? ..when it gets dark, chuck in your neighbors bushes, or dump it on the curb up the street, there are many places Ned, you gotta think outside the box

[@edbuurman3262]

@@OrangeCountySkid I do not consider that a solution to the problem, that is moving it to someone else. All the more reason for "This Old House" to address this aspect in all their projects (they rarely/never(?) do).

[@OrangeCountySkid]

@@edbuurman3262 they don't address it because they are the ones dumping it or leaving it, there's nothing wrong with dumping them garbage down the street, public works will eventually pick it up, I pay taxes so might as well!!!

[@psbjr]

Either schedule a pickup with your sanitation department or order a dumpster bag from a home center.

[@edbuurman3262]

@@psbjr Thank you for the suggestions. I don't think the local sanitation department would do this but I was not aware of the dumpster bag option, so I will look into that.

[@stevenhanson4268]

I like watching this show cause I do a lot of work with my landlord and he's impressed by what I know I said I just watch ask this old house you'll get ideas this guy is awsome

[@OrangeCountySkid]

There ya go, do a lot of work for landlord, after he triples the price of the property, and sells it, you're out and get nothing... Hes impressed with you alright....

[@Zamollius_the_Holy]

1:31 look at the paint over spray 😮.

[@volvo09]

I was going to comment on that.. brutal.

[@leonardcrisci7254]

😂

[@Zamollius_the_Holy]

@@volvo09 it's your typical landlord quality i.e. little to none.

[@loumonte658]

That's normal when spray painting. Later the Painter will brush paint the trim boards and it will look beautiful. Normally windows get masking tape and poly to keep the glass from getting overspray on them.

[@jaycahow4667]

You mean paint under spray. It looks like they are painting the house blue over white. They did not want to mess up the white porch trim so they stopped at the last level and will paint that level by hand.

[@Iam_Maya11]

That was a nicer video thank you so much

[@IntegraDIY]

Probably would’ve been best to apply a surface retarder, then get the water hose, and spray it down after an hour of setting up, to expose the aggregate more and deeper

[@davidparker9676]

True, it will never look the same as the rest of the walkway, it will always look newer and smoother.

[@traktion9]

@@davidparker9676 its impossible to match perfectly, you'll always know where new and old is no matter what technique.

[@davidparker9676]

@@traktion9 A skilled person can do a much better job matching it than what was done here. Telling her to let mother nature do the matching is a steaming load of BS. The new crew on TOH is a bunch of clowns, they have hired people for the wrong reasons... it sure wasn't because they are masters in their trade.

[@RealMTBAddict]

I don't think she wanted an exact copy lol. It's an investment property, the next owners don't want museum quality concrete lol.

[@nickbrockelman]

@davidparker9676 honestly I can't agree more. When the first tool he grabbed wasn't an angle grinder I didn't even know where we were going with this. But let's be honest with each other, there is absolutely no replacement for Tom Silva. There never has been and they never will be

[@PureSmarts]

As someone (Wicked Good Handyman) who has done quite a bit of concrete work, there was a big mistake made here. Mark never pulled up the wire mesh as he was laying the concrete. What good is the wire mesh if its at the bottom of the concrete? FYI: The wire mesh gives the concrete flex strength espeically when loads are applied and freezing and thawing.

[@shanew7361]

Yea, this was a complete hack job. I'd have fired him on the spot. Discusses nothing about slump either.

[@CertifiedMailSignatureRequired]

C'mon guys, it's an investment property. Just looking for quick fix for tenants, not their house. lol @Puresmarts @@shanew7361

[@CertifiedMailSignatureRequired]

2x4's are levels now-a-days! c'mon!

[@PureSmarts]

Yes, you are 100% correct. I didn't want to rip Mark apart. BTW, did you notice the mix on the first wheel barrel dump?@@shanew7361

[@natersalad889]

I would of drilled into each slab at the ends where they cut and put a couple small pieces of rebar sticking out the ends to tie the new slab and old slabs together and keep them from rasing higher or lower than each other during freeze and thaw cause their technically not connected together as they are if it the sidewalk was poured all at once and be one solid piece,

[@OrangeCountySkid]

​@@Kevin-mp5of have what, that first guy lost.me at newel post

[@RealMTBAddict]

You would HAVE

[@OrangeCountySkid]

@@aggieraz like 421 Dowling Street?

[@BunnyWrangler-m3w]

Novice tip, if you have a hammer drill, put a chisel tip on it and use it like a jackhammer to break up the concrete

[@IntegraDIY]

🙌🙌🙌

[@gpslightlock1422]

Nice video.

[@KevinC-ly8ff]

Nice job, interesting why to expose the aggregate, and just a heads up, there’s no lime in concrete

[@yvonneschimmel453]

Parts of my sidewalks are cracking. What do I do if neighbors tree roots are growing under my sidewalk?

[@jmason61]

Surprised there's not more talk about color matches - he just says it's going to look like the old concrete.... maybe that's like the standard mix used all over the area?

[@Zamollius_the_Holy]

Cool

[@RoughNeckDelta]

So, if you use brick sand how is that going to keep the walkway from icing over?

[@OrangeCountySkid]

It doesn't ...pay attention

[@roderickfemm8799]

I wouldn't trust previous construction to have proper pitch, when it only takes a second or two to check it.

[@blueline308]

But even if the existing pitch was off, how would they have fixed it without tearing out everything?

[@roderickfemm8799]

@@blueline308 They could easily have made it a little higher in the back to make the pitch more in the right direction. Worst case, the water might run into the yard where the old and new sections meet, instead of running back towards the house.

[@davidparker9676]

@@roderickfemm8799 If you raise the part near the steps then you mess with the step height and code compliance. It was fine how they did it, if she doesn't like it she can redo the whole path later on.

[@RealMTBAddict]

The pitch wasn't the problem to begin with. Pour substrate and too much salt usage was

[@OrangeCountySkid]

@@Kevin-mp5of love that song ...hang on slopey, slopey hang on

[@Santirata]

That Elsbeth sure is hardworking and cute. Would love to have her as my landlord.

[@OrangeCountySkid]

New rules perbaht.....keep it in the pants unless you're going to stir paint with it

[@donc-m4900]

Step one. Get rid of the concrete. Step two. Call it a day.

[@peterbomil7545]

They also didn't mention anything about how deep the concrete should be.

[@ladykatietx]

Would seasons of drought in southeast Texas also do this to a sidewalk?

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Those guys on that Titan submersible imploded

[@RealMTBAddict]

I never understood why people think floating concrete fast means you're good.

[@matthewlewis5631]

🤙

[@todd2456]

Looks like Mauro was there first. 😂

[@OrangeCountySkid]

He's a perbaht

[@MrDummyisDumb]

Idk if it would work in this case, there might be some smarter concrete experts in the comments, but I've seen them throw sugar on the curing concrete to give a more prominent aggregate look. From what I've seen it looks like it might have led to a better match to the old walkway pattern in this case

[@RealMTBAddict]

Sugar stops the curing process. Concrete truck drivers use soda when their trucks break down so the concrete doesn't set up. Using sugar on a pour is asking for very low quality. Use a surface retarder...

[@nickbrockelman]

Is there some reason why you didn't score the concrete more so that you could break it up easier

[@RealMTBAddict]

Because that doesn't really help.

[@nickbrockelman]

@@RealMTBAddict what are you talking about if you make an x on the Square and you hit each corner it breaks up into four pieces in about three hits. And when you're a little woman with not a lot of strength breaking a big job up into a little job can help make sure it gets done properly besides if it didn't really help then why is it the method to remove material like this you pretty much every other similar situation from blasting holes in mines to fixing tile floors.

[@RealMTBAddict]

@@nickbrockelman Well in residential areas you have to keep the dust down. Scoring it will just take up too much time. 3 swings of a sledge takes 6 seconds and does more damage. I'm worried they aren't even using gloves...

[@nickbrockelman]

@RealMTBAddict I would be willing to bet that you are judging the amount of time it takes to score a concrete on how long it took them to make those two cuts and not from personal experience. Your second sentence about concern over gloves confirms it for me. I don't know where you live but everywhere I've ever work construction (that's two major cities and everywhere in between) copious dust creation has never been an issue. certainly not one where controlling it was regulated by any Authority for public health and safety concern. Anything I've ever done that created so much dust there was a concern it just got wetted beforehand and this was no longer an issue. As far as the amount of time it takes to make the cuts.. it's all about the tool that you use. I have no idea what that thing he's using is but every concrete man I've ever known would have used an angle grinder will the diamond blade on it to do all of the cutting work and it would have taken maybe 2 minutes total to do all four cuts

[@RealMTBAddict]

@@nickbrockelman I only have 20 years of personal experience. You wouldn't use an angle grinder unless you were making small cuts like in a curb. Most times we would use a demo saw. Yeah sure you could wet it up, or just swing 10 times for the same effect. But you probably have never swung a sledgehammer lol

[@peterbomil7545]

They didn't say anything about what size stones they were using or how deep it should be.

[@JamesAutoDude]

5:09 8:23 9:29

[@johnglielmi6428]

When Mark talks about New England having a freeze thaw cycle. he makes it sound like it only happens in New England. the freeze thaw cycle happens across almost half of the entire continental US. I live in the Chicagoland area and we get a freeze thaw cycle.

[@kenactofkindness4017]

LOW COMPACTION WITH THAT LOOSE SOIL WITH REBAR STAKE, 40 YEARS INSPECTION, UGH lol he knew it ugh

[@RealMTBAddict]

Private property doesn't require inspections...

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Please stop yelling....ya know those guys on that Titan submersible imploded

[@drakeorion94]

What is brick sand?

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Sand with brick in it .....cmon really ......

[@malikdigger4544]

Repairing a worn out concrete sidewalk by master TOH mason contractor Mark McCollough

[@dieselchild]

2:32 “Dusk Mask?”

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Undawareh

[@chestertaylor7341]

I love the fact that the home owner was not only there to help. But also there just in case the tenant came home. I watch a lot of videos on the internet about mean people called Karen's or Ken's(obviously Karen for females and Ken for males). If the tenant is a Karen or Ken, then they would have seen the property owner there and would not have caused any problems by calling the police about Mark destroying the sidewalk.

[@RealMTBAddict]

No apostrophe...

[@fnava2110]

Since she helped, is it free or did she have to pay still? 😂

[@BIKEBLADESKATE]

It’s a tv show. No she didn’t have to pay.

[@45asunder1]

Kobalt wheelbarrow.😉

[@RealMTBAddict]

I would've told her to mist it a few times a day for a week, for a natural cure.

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Exactly , it's gonadular in nature

[@BTK810]

This is not Victory Style.

[@jonathonpellegrini5725]

He said crack

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Like butt??.... hahahahahahahahah

[@Its_crazyadamla]

Ok that will be $2,500

[@RealMTBAddict]

More like $1,000

[@cadpanacea]

No dry pour? 😂

[@TwoCaptainsOneShip]

Seems to be the “new trend”…😂😂😂

[@traktion9]

Mark would never hint at that baloney.

[@RealMTBAddict]

Oh be quiet

[@ikurasake]

She's greedy for having this "investment home". Leave some homeownership opportunities for the rest of us

[@stompythewonderlizard286]

Just came straight to the comment section to see how all the experts would do it. Not even sure why PBS has these hacks on here.

[@OrangeCountySkid]

It's cheap, PBS is always in the hole

[@InTheYear]

Use sand not salt

[@joeforest8633]

I use pepper

[@OrangeCountySkid]

Old Bay ....keeps dah lobstahs happhy

[@RealMTBAddict]

I use manly steps 😂

[@cup_and_cone]

That's ballsy (and irresponsible) to just assume the previous pour had the right (or any) pitch...

[@davidparker9676]

Trust me, there were no balls on this project. You might have thought you you saw a cue ball but it was the mason's head.

[@OrangeCountySkid]

LMB

[@RealMTBAddict]

That's not why it cracked... Pay attention.

[@cup_and_cone]

@@RealMTBAddict Please stay away from home building.

[@cup_and_cone]

@@Kevin-mp5of There are ways around if it's not good. For instance, you can crown the form/arc cut it on the high side you want to get a suitable runoff on the new pour.

[@jeffreyrichardson]

jodi welch brechts treat john taberskis spread quickrete families discrete